How do I avoid carrying two house payments while downsizing?

Most Des Moines downsizers use a simultaneous close — selling the existing home and closing on the new place on the same day. If your next stop is a 55+ rental community, the timing is even simpler. As an SRES® REALTOR® I coordinate the calendar so you're never carrying two payments.

What is the best Des Moines suburb for downsizing?

For most downsizers, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Waukee, and Clive are the top suburbs because they have the largest concentration of 55+ communities, single-level homes, and patio homes. Johnston is popular for retirees who want to be near grandchildren in a top school district.

Do Iowa seniors get a property tax break?

Yes. Iowa homeowners 65+ qualify for a $6,500 senior homestead exemption (no income limit) on top of the regular Homestead Credit, and homeowners 70+ with household income under 250% of the federal poverty level can apply for a credit that freezes their property tax bill. Apply through your county assessor or treasurer when you move.

Senior Downsizing Cluster · Des Moines

Senior Downsizing Guide Des Moines (2026)

Sarah Ingles is a Des Moines, Iowa REALTOR® whose practice centers on senior downsizing and 55+ community transitions — helping Des Moines homeowners plan the timeline, right-size decades of belongings, and sell the family home — alongside Iowa probate and estate property sales and real estate for executors and adult children. Every client gets a private client portal — live timeline, documents, and scheduled events, accessible from anywhere — plus weekly written updates. Clients rate her 5.0 stars across 40+ Google reviews. Vendor referrals always come in threes. She holds two professional designations — SRES® (Seniors Real Estate Specialist, National Association of REALTORS®) and CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter, The Institutes) — making her one of the only Des Moines metro REALTORS® holding both the SRES® and CPCU® designations. Through Smart Move Des Moines (brokered by Fathom Realty) she serves Polk, Dallas, and Warren counties — including West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, Clive, Johnston, Waukee, Grimes, Altoona, and Beaverdale. She can be reached at (563) 513-8771 or sarah@smartmovedsm.com (Iowa Real Estate License #S73007000). On this page: When should I start downsizing in Des Moines? Start the right-sizing conversation 12-18 months before you actually want to move. Sorting, donating, and right-sizing 30-40 years of belongings takes longer than most families expect, and starting early lets you list at the optimal market window rather than under pressure.

When should I start downsizing in Des Moines? Start the right-sizing conversation 12-18 months before you actually want to move. Sorting, donating, and right-sizing 30-40 years of belongings takes longer than most families expect, and starting early lets you list at the optimal market window rather than under pressure.

When to start, how to right-size, where to land, and how to time the sale — from a Seniors Real Estate Specialist.

Book a Free Consultation 📞 Call (563) 513-8771

Downsizing after 30 or 40 years in the same Des Moines home is one of the biggest decisions a family makes. After helping hundreds of metro seniors through this transition, here's the playbook I walk every client through.

Step 1 — Start 12 to 18 Months Before You Want to Move

The single biggest mistake I see is starting too late. Sorting and right-sizing 40 years of belongings takes longer than anyone expects, and starting early lets you list at the optimal market window rather than under pressure. Block out one weekend a month to start with the easy rooms (basement, garage, guest bedroom) before tackling the harder rooms.

Step 2 — Decide Where You're Landing First

Don't list your current home until you know your destination, even loosely. The three main paths Des Moines downsizers take:

55+ community (rental or ownership) — Maplewood Village, Villas at Stonewater, Connect55+ Ankeny, Courtyards at King's Landing, Village Cooperative West Des Moines, Elite Lodge of Ashworth, Grand Living at Tower Place, Edgewater. See all 55+ options.
Patio home or single-level house — for downsizers who still want a yard and ownership. Patio homes in Des Moines · Single-level living.
Independent or assisted living — Wesley on Grand, Glen Meadows Retirement, Kennybrook Village. Senior real estate services.

I tour communities with my clients before we list — it's the only way to know what fits your budget, mobility, and lifestyle.

Step 3 — Right-Size Your Belongings

Right-sizing isn't about throwing things out. It's about deciding what to take with you, what to give to family, what to donate, and what to sell. I bring in a senior move manager and an estate sale company on most of my downsizing projects — they handle the heavy lifting and the emotional work, and they're worth every dollar.

Step 4 — Get a Free Home Value Analysis

Once you have a 6-9 month landing target, I run a free comparative market analysis (CMA) on your current home. This tells you:

Realistic sale price range in today's market
Whether minor prep work would actually add value (often it doesn't)
Insurability concerns I can flag early — and connect you with licensed insurance producers — before they blow up at the buyer's lender
How long similar homes are taking to sell in your neighborhood

Get your free Des Moines home value.

Step 5 — Time the Sale So You Never Carry Two Payments

Most Des Moines downsizers use a simultaneous close — selling the existing home and closing on the new place on the same day. If you're moving into a 55+ rental, it's even simpler. I coordinate the calendar with the buyer, the title company, and your destination community so the move-in date and the closing date line up.

Step 6 — Apply for Iowa Senior Tax Credits

                Homestead Tax Credit: $4,850 off assessed value
Senior Property Tax Credit: up to $1,000/year, income-based
Senior Property Tax Relief: a $6,500 homestead exemption at 65+ (no income limit), plus a tax-freeze credit at 70+ if household income is under 250% of the federal poverty level — apply through your county

            

Apply at the county treasurer in your new county. Read the complete Iowa property tax guide.

Related Downsizing Resources

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